As summer draws to a close and Autumn is here for a few months, our team at Waters Choice would like to remind you that now is the time to think about preparing your swimming pool for winter.
Prevent damage from snow and frozen water this winter and make Spring pool opening a BREEZE! Learn how to expertly winterize your above ground pool with our 8 steps.
Balance Water Chemistry
The first step before you winterize your above ground pool is to balance water chemistry about two weeks before you are ready to close. Ensure that the chemical levels are within the following ranges:
pH: 7.4 – 7.6 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200 – 400 ppm
Using your test strips, make sure your pool’s water is balanced, clear and clean. Does your pool water still have a tint of GREEN? Click HERE to learn more about Waters Choice Phosphate Remover and how easy it is to use.
Add Your Double Dose of Waters Choice Pool Enzymes
TWO WEEKS prior to pool closing, double the weekly amount of Waters Choice Pure Enzymes for Pools. Do this once one week and again the second week. There is absolutely NO Need to Shock the Pool if you’ve been using our enzymes throughout your pool swimming season.
Remove Any Debris
It’s important to winterize your above ground pool when it’s in spotless condition. Any debris left in the pool will use up your winterizing pool chemicals, affect water balance and create ugly stains. Click HERE for information about Waters Choice Startup and Metal Remover.
Remove Accessory Items
Remove your skimmer basket, return fittings, solar blankets, pool alarms, ladders or steps and pool cleaners. Dry and stow them safely for the winter months – indoors or protected from the elements.
Solar blankets can be left on the solar reel and covered with a durable tarp. They can also be dried, folded and stored in a location where mice cannot get into.
Lower Water Level
Now you can save the skimmer and save water with the above ground pool. Simply snap on the plastic skimmer cover and you can keep water at normal levels. Drain the skimmer pipe or disconnect the hose connecting the pump.
If you don’t use a skimmer plug that fits into the opening to block water, you’ll need to lower the water level to about 3” below the skimmer opening. Be careful, removing too much water could stress you pool cover, liner or pool walls.
You can use your pump or let the water run out of the return line hose by disconnecting it from the filter. If you have a low water suction line, in addition to the skimmer, close or plug the skimmer and use the LWS line to lower the water below the skimmer by setting the filter valve on waste or disconnecting the plumbing.
Drain and Plug the Pipes As Well As Drain the Equipment
Make sure to drain all pumping, filtering, heating and chlorinating equipment and blow out all water from the lines. Otherwise, water will freeze and crack the equipment.
Additionally, be sure to shut off the power and gas supply to heaters. Mothballs or mint sachets are effective at keeping nesting mice out of pool heaters.
Cover Your Pool
Last but not least, cover your pool with a tight fitting pool cover to ensure that debris and leaves cannot get into your pool.
Mid-Winter Check
One more thing, we suggest you do a midwinter check on your pool water. If you find that it has algae or water balance is off, tend to it now other than in the Spring when you open your pool. By doing this, you’ll save yourself time and money later when you really would rather be swimming. Click HERE for more information about a mid winter check on your swimming pool.
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